Improvement in washing-machines



UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGn JOHN I. SHOTWELL, OF WELLAN D, CANADA.

IMPROVEMENT IN WASHING-MACHINES.

Specification formingpart of Letters Patent No. 1 70,31 1. dated November 23, 1875; application filed October 29, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

of Welland, in the Province of Ontario and Dominion of Canada, have invented a new and Improved Washing-Machine, of which the following is a specification:

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a top view, and Fig. 2 a vertical longitudinal section of the same on the line 0 c, Fig. 1. 4

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My inventioii relates to an improved washing-machine, by which a greater or smaller quantity of clothes may be easily and quickly washed, and the same be operated with considerable facility.

The invention consists of a washing-machine with alternately-working plungers, that are carried by a revolving crank-shaft against an adjustable spriu g-rack with rubbing rollers.

In the drawing, represents a tub of a washing-machine that is supported on strong legs, and carried by handles readily from place to place. A series of plungers, B, are pivoted to a lateral shaft, a, and operated by the pivot-rods I), connected to a crank-shaft, G, that is revolved by a hand-crank in suitable bearings of the tub A. so that the plungers are alternately moved forward along the bot tom ofthe tub. The lower arc-shaped part of each plunger is suspended, by. side arms B, from shaft a, and thrown with considerable force by the revolving crank shaft against a rack, D. of rubbing-rollers d, that are mounted to side pieces D, which are hung in similar manner as the plunger-arms to shaft 0, to swing backward and forward thereon. The rack D is acted upon by strong the extreme points, and prevent thereby any 7 wedging-inof the clothes between them.

The suds are drawn off through a bottom hole on removing the plug.

'A hinged or pivoted top is placed on th tub during the working of the plungers, to

prevent any spattering of the soap-water.

The spring-rack presses the clothes with considerable force against the plungers, so

that the thorough cleaning of a greater or smaller number of clothes is produced, and thereby a very convenient and eli'ective washing-machine furnished.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a washing-machine, a series of alternately-swinging plungers, operated by a revolving crank shaft, in combination with a swinging and spring acted roller-rack, substantially in the manner, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the swinging rollerrack, having lateral brace-piece, with the sliding rods and springs of a pivoted top piece of the tub, to produce constant spring-action on rack, substantially as specified.

3. The combination of the swinging springrack with a cord and outer pivot-lever and fastening-hook for locking the spring-rack to wall of tub, and facilitating the handling of the clothes in the same, substantially as shown and described.

JOHN I. SHOTWELL.

Witnesses:

J. HAMILTON INGERSOLL, ERNEST O. BODWELL. 

